Farming
Farming
Stay updated with farming news, tips, and seasonal insights through our “Cultivate” newsletter for farmers, designed to inspire and support the agricultural community.
We’re delighted to announce the launch of the 2026 Cultivate Farming Photography Competition.
Farming is part of everyday life for so many people across Ireland, and we want to celebrate this. We’re inviting entrants to capture photos showing life on the farm and to highlight what makes Irish farming so unique. Entries are open to both Cultivate members and non-members alike. We will then have a fantastic collection of photos for release in our 2027 Cultivate Farming Calendar and across our socials.
In addition to the twelve winning photos featured in the 2027 calendar, there will also be a €1000 Ireland’s Blue Book voucher for one overall winner.
Competition entries are now open!
How to enter: Take a photo that captures farm life and submit it through the entry form on the Cultivate CU page. https://cultivate-cu.ie/
Competition will close September 30th 2026.
Please note: Photo entries should be in the landscape orientation for inclusion in the calendar. Images cannot contain any people’s faces, graphics or branding. Photo entries will be accepted in .JPEG / .JPG / PNG formats only.
See Terms and Conditions of entry here
- Keep a record of movements
- Don’t miss verification deadlines (movements Jan–Jun must be verified by 14 July 2026, and Jul–Dec by 14 January 2027)
- Storage pressure is still real - wet weather has left some farms quite tight, and longer-term requirements are trending upwards
BISS 2026 applications are now open.
If you’re applying for BISS/Eco-Schemes/CRISS (or making claims for ANC, ACRES, OFS, etc.) avoid the last-minute rush and plan around the below key dates (DAFM).
• Closing date: Friday 15 May 2026
• Penalty free amendments: up to 31 May 2026
• Late applications: up to 9 June 2026
• Keep an eye for your BISS pack (maps and land details) in the post
• Double check you’ve selected the right Eco-Scheme/ANC/Young Farmer options (where relevant)
A few things to watch this year: all rented and leased land now needs an expiry date entered on the system. Dairy farmers must identify the milking platform on their holding. The Multi-Species Sward Measure and Red Clover Silage Measure have both been dropped for 2026 while they're under review.
Late applications are accepted until 9 June, but penalties apply.
DAFM has announced a nationwide series of in-person clinics to help farmers submit their 2026 BISS and other area-based scheme applications. Department staff will be on hand for one-to-one support at locations around the country ahead of the May 15 closing date.
Applications are already running nearly 60% ahead of this time last year, so it's worth getting yours in early.
If cash flow is tight while you're waiting on scheme payments, your local Cultivate credit union can help bridge the gap. Flexible repayments, local decisions.
Call 074 9361017 or visit our Cultivate loan page for more information, try out our handy loan calculator and find out how to apply. Farming Loans | Low-Interest Agricultural Loans & Farm Financing
The Cultivate loan has helped farmers around the country improve their farm infrastructure, and even diversify farm operations.
Start your Cultivate Loan application here Apply now
Supporting Farm Labour for Long-Term Success
Supporting Farm Labour for Long-Term Success
If you have been thinking about investing in your farm to improve safety, efficiency and success, our Cultivate loan can help you.
Call 074 9361017 or visit our Cultivate loan page for more information, try out our handy loan calculator and find out how to apply. Farming Loans | Low-Interest Agricultural Loans & Farm Financing
Breeding Season Is a Month Away. Have You Picked Your Bulls?
Breeding kicks off on most dairy farms in late April or early May, which means the decisions need to happen now. For most herds now, it's a more calculated process: dairy AI on your best cows, beef straws on the rest, making every mating count.
The Dairy Beef Index (DBI) bull you pick now determines what next spring's calves are worth at the mart. It's one of the simplest ways to add value to your calves without any extra rearing cost.
If you're investing in AI, handling facilities, or breeding stock this spring, your local credit union can help. Cultivate offers flexible farm loans with no hidden fees.
Call 074 9361017 or visit our Cultivate loan page for more information, try out our handy loan calculator and find out how to apply. Farming Loans | Low-Interest Agricultural Loans & Farm Financing
Loans are subject to approval. T&Cs apply.
Sources: Agriland, 17 and 26 March 2026; ICBF
#Cultivate #FarmerFriendlyFinance
Over 850,000 calves registered in Ireland as of March 6, that's 37,600 more than this time last year. Dairy dam registrations are up almost 28,000, with suckler registrations up 6,700. It looks like more cows are calving earlier this season.
Calving season puts every part of the yard to the test. If yours is telling you it's time for an upgrade, whether that's penning, handling facilities, or equipment, Cultivate offers flexible farm loans with no hidden fees and decisions made locally.
Call 074 9361017 or visit our Cultivate loan page for more information, try out our handy loan calculator and find out how to apply. Farming Loans | Low-Interest Agricultural Loans & Farm Financing
Loans are subject to approval. T&Cs apply.
Source: Agriland / ICBF, 7 March 2026
As of March 6, the ICBF is now displaying Commercial Beef Value on mart sale boards for all genotyped animals with a verified sire. Previously this was limited to cattle from HerdPlus herds.
For anyone buying at the mart, the CBV predicts finishing profitability based on traits like carcass weight, age at finish, and feed intake. It takes some of the guesswork out of the ring.
If you're investing in stock this spring, Cultivate offers farm loans with no hidden fees and repayments that work around your income. Local credit unions, local decisions.
Call 074 9361017 or visit our Cultivate loan page for more information, try out our handy loan calculator and find out how to apply. Farming Loans | Low-Interest Agricultural Loans & Farm Financing
Loans are subject to approval. T&Cs apply.
Milk prices have dropped below the cost of production. Agriland's latest Milk Price Tracker shows some co-ops now paying as low as 32.75c/l, with production costs sitting between 37 and 41c/l.
Teagasc advises dairy farmers to hold a cash reserve of €500 per cow to ride out the spring. That's sound advice if you have it. If you don't, now is the time to plan.
If cash flow is tight this spring, Cultivate can help. Farm finance made easy, with up to €75,000 unsecured and repayments built around your farm income.
Call 074 9361017 or visit our Cultivate loan page for more information, try out our handy loan calculator and find out how to apply. Farming Loans | Low-Interest Agricultural Loans & Farm Financing
Loans are subject to approval. T&Cs apply.
Source: Agriland Milk Price Tracker, February 2026; Teagasc, December 2025
Green diesel has jumped nearly 50% in a fortnight. The FCI reports bulk agricultural diesel going from around 97c/l to as high as €1.50/l. That's an extra €500 on a single 1,000-litre order, and it's climbing over three times faster than white diesel.
Fertiliser supply is tightening too, with the Middle East conflict squeezing shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
If rising costs are putting the squeeze on this spring, talk to your local credit union. Cultivate offers farmer-friendly finance with flexible repayments and fast, local decisions.
Call 074 9361017 or visit our Cultivate loan page for more information, try out our handy loan calculator and find out how to apply. Farming Loans | Low-Interest Agricultural Loans & Farm Financing
Loans are subject to approval. T&Cs apply.
Source: Irish Farmers Journal / FCI, 6–11 March 2026
Cattle and sheep can now move between Ireland and Northern Ireland again for breeding and production, after bluetongue restrictions shut down cross-border trade earlier this year.
The ICMSA says the northern market accounted for close to 50,000 cattle in 2025, so this is a welcome outlet, especially with factory quotes softening. ICSA is urging farmers to stay vigilant and check vaccination status as midge season approaches.
If you're looking to build numbers this spring, Cultivate offers farm finance made easy through your local credit union. Flexible repayments and decisions made locally.
Call 074 9361017 or visit our Cultivate loan page for more information, try out our handy loan calculator and find out how to apply. Farming Loans | Low-Interest Agricultural Loans & Farm Financing
Loans are subject to approval. T&Cs apply.
Source: Agriland, 5–6 March 2026
Fertiliser Prices Are Climbing. Clover Is the Long Game.
Fertiliser prices rose 11.6% in the year to January, and that was before shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz pushed costs higher. Some Cavan and Monaghan suppliers quoted CAN at €560–580/tonne last week. Protected urea is hard to source at any price.
The long-term answer? Clover. Teagasc data shows total nitrogen usage has dropped 17% over three years, driven by tighter regulations, higher costs, and growing clover uptake. April is ideal for oversowing. It won't replace nitrogen overnight, but it builds resilience year on year.
If rising input costs are putting pressure on cash flow, talk to your local credit union. Cultivate offers farmer-friendly finance with local decisions.
Call 074 9361017 or visit our Cultivate loan page for more information, try out our handy loan calculator and find out how to apply. Farming Loans | Low-Interest Agricultural Loans & Farm Financing
Loans are subject to approval. T&Cs apply.
Sources: CSO, March 2026; Anglo Celt, 24 March 2026; Agriland/Teagasc, 28 March 2026
#Cultivate #FarmerFriendlyFinance
44% of Irish Soils Still Below Target pH
44% of Irish soils are still below the critical pH of 6.2.
Every unit of fertiliser on wrong-pH soil is money lost. Teagasc research shows correcting pH alone lifts nitrogen use efficiency from 35% to 53%. With fertiliser prices where they are, lime is the cheapest win on any farm, and it delivers a return in the year of application.
If liming, reseeding, or soil improvement is on the list this year, Cultivate can help. Farm finance made easy, with no hidden fees and decisions made locally.
Call 074 9361017 or visit our Cultivate loan page for more information, try out our handy loan calculator and find out how to apply. Farming Loans | Low-Interest Agricultural Loans & Farm Financing
Loans are subject to approval. T&Cs apply.
Source: Teagasc, 9 March 2026
#Cultivate #FarmerFriendlyFinance
Tirlán and Teagasc have launched FarmElevate, a new knowledge transfer programme built around seven "Lighthouse Farms" across the Tirlán catchment. The focus: productivity, animal health, farm costs, and sustainability.
The programme includes farm walks, webinars, discussion groups and a dedicated support service for development farms, covering everything from nutrient management to breeding and business planning.
Free, practical knowledge from farms that are doing it well. Worth a look if you want to tighten up how things are running this year.
If acting on what you learn means investing in your farm, Cultivate credit unions offer farm loans with no hidden fees and repayments that work around your income.
Call 074 9361017 or visit our Cultivate loan page for more information, try out our handy loan calculator and find out how to apply. Farming Loans | Low-Interest Agricultural Loans & Farm Financing
Loans are subject to approval. T&Cs apply.
Source: Agriland / Teagasc, 19 March 2026
#Cultivate #FarmerFriendlyFinance
Store cattle continue to attract strong demand at marts this spring, with good competition between wholesalers, butchers and factory agents at the ring. Factory quotes have eased in recent weeks, but the live trade is holding steady for quality lots.
With suckler-bred calf registrations running 12,000 head above last year for the first time in a decade, there are signs that confidence is returning to the suckler herd.
If you're buying stock this spring or investing in herd expansion, Cultivate offers flexible farm loans with fast, local decisions and no hidden fees.
Call 074 9361017 or visit our Cultivate loan page for more information, try out our handy loan calculator and find out how to apply. Farming Loans | Low-Interest Agricultural Loans & Farm Financing
Loans are subject to approval. T&Cs apply.
Source: ICBF via Agriland, 22 March 2026; Farmers' Journal / Bord Bia, March 2026
